The Fuzhou environmental protection bureau recently reported an average air pollution index (API) of 51 for 2012, compared with 2011’s 58. Based on the API, Fuzhou ranked third among China’s 31 capital cities and municipalities, right after Lhasa and Haikou.

The city had 158 days of good air quality in 2012, 44 days more than last year. It saw 206 days of moderate air quality. In total, 98.45 percent of the year had “moderate” or better air quality ratings. Only two days in 2012 saw the air “slightly polluted”, major pollution being particulate matter.